PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kang Gae Ri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and William Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Gae Ri
vs
Hopkins

180 cm
18
176 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
18
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kang Gae Ri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, William Hopkins!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gae Ri misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hopkins tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gae Ri sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hopkins somewhat.
Hopkins tries to clinch up but Gae Ri circles away and keeps his distance.

Hopkins shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Gae Ri manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Gae Ri has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hopkins can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gae Ri is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gae Ri lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gae Ri throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hopkins works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gae Ri cracks Hopkins with a solid left hand.
Hopkins trying to keep a closed guard but Gae Ri is proving a slippery customer.
Gae Ri with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gae Ri has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Gae Ri won't allow Hopkins to sweep him here.
Hopkins utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gae Ri missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gae Ri throwing strikes but missing.
Gae Ri loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Hopkins is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gae Ri defends well.
Gae Ri loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hopkins trying to keep a closed guard but Gae Ri is proving a slippery customer.

Gae Ri drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Gae Ri jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Gae Ri stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hopkins swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Gae Ri misses the jab.

Gae Ri closes the distance and pushes Hopkins back into the cage.
Hopkins tries to pull guard but Gae Ri holds him up against the cage and eventually Hopkins drops back down to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gae Ri misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gae Ri tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gae Ri prevents the takedown attempt.
Kang Gae Ri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of William Hopkins.
Hopkins is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Gae Ri is defending well.
Hopkins blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hopkins is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Hopkins is trying to pull guard but Gae Ri has him pressed against the cage.

Hopkins successfully pulls guard.
Gae Ri is pushing down on Hopkins's leg trying to pass to half guard. Hopkins is fighting to maintain full guard but Gae Ri has managed to sneak the leg through.
Hopkins won't allow Gae Ri to pass to mount.
Gae Ri throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins won't allow Gae Ri to pass to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hopkins tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Hopkins is trying to maintain the position but Gae Ri is very close to passing his half guard.
Gae Ri frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Gae Ri is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Hopkins can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Hopkins tries to lock up and control but Gae Ri gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hopkins is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Gae Ri trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kang Gae Ri dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A combination from Gae Ri does no damage.
Hopkins shoots in but Gae Ri avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hopkins throws a body shot but no joy.
Hopkins shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gae Ri as he jumps to the side.
Gae Ri is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hopkins.
Hopkins is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Hopkins tries to clinch there but Gae Ri circles away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hopkins.
Kang Gae Ri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of William Hopkins.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopkins tries to clinch up.
Gae Ri tries to counter by clinching up but Hopkins breaks away and moves out of range.
Gae Ri fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nice takedown defense from Gae Ri. No joy for Hopkins on that attempt.
Gae Ri seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Kang Gae Ri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jab by Gae Ri.
Hopkins shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gae Ri defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gae Ri fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hopkins moves out of range as Gae Ri strikes.
Gae Ri dodges the punch combination from Hopkins.

Gae Ri gets a clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gae Ri.
Gae Ri throws a head punch that misses.
Hopkins tries for a takedown. No joy.
Gae Ri misses with a hook from the clinch.
Gae Ri lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gae Ri gets through Hopkins's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hopkins tries for a takedown but Gae Ri manages to get underhooks.
Gae Ri fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gae Ri misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hopkins wants to get back to striking at distance but Gae Ri won't allow it.
Gae Ri swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gae Ri doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gae Ri lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Gae Ri misses with some punches.
Gae Ri lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gae Ri working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hopkins tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Gae Ri just stands there and leans against the cage.
Gae Ri throws a head punch that misses.
Gae Ri tries a body shot but Hopkins blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Gae Ri.
Gae Ri lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hopkins tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Gae Ri lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Gae Ri makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Gae Ri.
A right hook to the body lands for Gae Ri.
Gae Ri has a couple of punches blocked by Hopkins.
A short uppercut from Gae Ri.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Gae Ri.
Gae Ri scores with a shot to the side of Hopkins's head.
Gae Ri fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gae Ri lands a hook that snaps the head of Hopkins backwards.

Hopkins is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gae Ri.
Hopkins is still on wobbly legs! Can Gae Ri finish him?
Gae Ri swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gae Ri swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gae Ri misses with a punch on the inside.
Kang Gae Ri has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Gae Ri working aggressively here.
Gae Ri misses with a punch on the inside.
Gae Ri misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hopkins blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gae Ri fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hopkins blocks an uppercut.
Gae Ri swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gae Ri misses with the head strike.
Gae Ri swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gae Ri misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gae Ri tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gae Ri throws a head punch that misses.
Gae Ri is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hopkins can do to turn this around?
Gae Ri throws a head punch that misses.
Hopkins blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Gae Ri.
Hopkins blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gae Ri has a couple of punches blocked by Hopkins.
Gae Ri working aggressively here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hopkins.
Gae Ri misses with a punch on the inside.
Gae Ri lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hopkins or not.
Gae Ri swings wildly with an uppercut but Hopkins uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gae Ri misses with some punches.
Gae Ri tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gae Ri swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Gae Ri fails to land.
Hopkins blocking some punches.
Gae Ri misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hopkins blocking some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Gae Ri fails to land.
Gae Ri working aggressively here.
Hopkins blocks an uppercut.
Gae Ri misses with a punch on the inside.
Gae Ri working aggressively here.
Gae Ri misses with a punch on the inside.
Gae Ri swings wildly with an uppercut but Hopkins uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gae Ri effectively controlling the action here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hopkins.
Hopkins blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hopkins blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gae Ri swings wildly with an uppercut but Hopkins uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hopkins blocks a punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kang Gae Ri dominated that second round.
That's time! Gae Ri's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Hopkins throws a head kick that half lands.
Gae Ri misses with a wild body shot.
Gae Ri throws a right and a left that both miss.
Despite the aggression on Hopkins's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Gae Ri throws a right hand that Hopkins ducks under and follows up with a left that Hopkins also avoids with ease.
Hopkins leaves Gae Ri with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hopkins wants to counter the offense by Gae Ri and move into the clinch position.
Kang Gae Ri is winning the standup battle so far.
Gae Ri avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
No luck for Hopkins with that takedown attempt.
Gae Ri feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Horrible takedown attempt by Hopkins or perhaps it was just good defense by Gae Ri, which made it look bad.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gae Ri lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hopkins circles away quickly and effectively.
Hopkins avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins wants to clinch.
Hopkins is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hopkins doesn't manage to clinch there - Gae Ri circles away.
Gae Ri misses with a wild body shot.
Hopkins showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gae Ri.
Hopkins goes for a double leg but Gae Ri avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Gae Ri continues to drive forward.
Gae Ri was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Kang Gae Ri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of William Hopkins.
Hopkins slips under a jab.
Hopkins tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gae Ri sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hopkins somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Gae Ri connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gae Ri dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kang Gae Ri is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hopkins keeps Gae Ri at a distance using the push kick.
Hopkins tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gae Ri paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Gae Ri gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Gae Ri tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hopkins is trying to pull guard but Gae Ri has him pressed against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gae Ri.
A short uppercut from Gae Ri.
Gae Ri keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hopkins's efforts to push away.
Hopkins misses with a knee strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins is looking to break free of the clinch but Gae Ri has double underhooks.
Hopkins lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Gae Ri backwards.
Hopkins has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hopkins fails to pull guard.
Gae Ri fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gae Ri tries to throw a body punch but Hopkins avoids it by throwing Gae Ri back against the cage.
Hopkins misses with the head strike.
Gae Ri throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hopkinss head.
Gae Ri dips a shoulder and cracks Hopkins with a mighty uppercut! Hopkins falls back against the cage and Gae Ri unloads with a barrage of strikes! Hopkins is completely out with his eyes open, only supported by the cage! Save him ref! Eventually the ref decides to do his job and jumps in - Gae Ri screams abuse at the incompetent official before going over to celebrate with his corner. Brutal stuff!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:52 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kang Gae Ri!
Kang Gae Ri thanked the fans post fight for their support.